Views sought for Windermere station overhaul
Three design options are on the table for a critical element of the Lake District town’s gateway masterplan.
Westmorland and Furness Council appointed Mott MacDonald earlier this year to draw up a “transformational welcome” concept masterplan for the station area, as part of the Windermere Gateway project.
The aim is to improve the station, its surroundings and facilities to create a stronger arrival.
Drop-in events are scheduled for Friday 3 July and Saturday 4 July, where thoughts will be shared based on the consultancy’s preliminary findings and feedback gathered to date.
These events will present three design options for the station area, exploring different approaches to the station building, forecourt, public spaces, wayfinding, and the overall arrival experience.
They also consider how the station area can better support active travel, buses, taxis, and onward travel, within the context of Windermere’s heritage, landscape, and local character.
Feedback will inform the development of a preferred option to be taken forward. The final masterplan will be used as the focal point of a push to secure investment for the proposed upgrades.
The community conversations will take place at the Marchesi Centre, Windermere on Friday 3 July 2026 from 2pm to 7pm and on Saturday 4 July 2026 from 10am to 2pm.
A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “Working together, the partners are committed to all aspects of Windermere Gateway, and creating a world-class welcome for rail and bus passengers would boost the local transport infrastructure and enhance the experience of travelling for everybody who lives, works or visits this area.
“Local views are crucial to the development of this project and the session will give residents the opportunity to have their say on the work done so far and shape the final proposals.”
This work will build on the Windermere Gateway Transport Infrastructure supplementary planning document adopted by the Lake District National Park Authority in 2021.
The design work is funded by around £150,000 from the council’s local transport grant allocation.
The scheme is part of the Windermere Gateway project, which is jointly led by Westmorland and Furness Council, Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and developer Urban Splash.
They also need to work with Northern rail (and government) to get a more frequent service into Windermere.
Makes no sense to have such a poor service into a major tourist destination while simultaneously asking people to reduce car usage in the Lake District.
By Anonymous